Panaderia Pantoja

Up until the other day, I didn’t know much about Panaderia Pantoja. It was actually my first time to hear about them when they invited me to their Makati branch to introduce their bread and their story. I wasn’t able to go because I have other commitments on that day.

It was very generous of them to send out samples of their products last tuesday for me to try. And they sent out a lot! I got a few packs of Jacobina, Paborita, Garlic Sticks, and Biscocho. They also sent a Yema Cake and Ensaymada topped with Salted Egg.

The moment I saw their products, a part of my childhood flashed back right into my mind. I haven’t seen Jacobinas in a long time. It used to be one of my favorite snacks when I was young. My Tita and I used to eat this with coffee and hot milo when we were still selling meat at the wet market. I love how the layers fold into a crunch when I take a bite into it.

This time, I ate the Jacobina, Paborita and Biscocho with a cup of coffee. While I paired the Garlic Sticks with pasta.

A bit of history, before I go any further.

Panaderia Pantoja started in 1950 by the couple Aurelio and Celinda Pantoja in Tanauan City, Batangas. With a capital of ₱50, 000, Aurelio started the business with a rehabilitated oven. Tasty breads were cut manually using bread knives. Aurelio performed multiple jobs from purchaser, delivery man and production manager while Celinda handled the day-to-day operations of the bakery. Back then, Tanauan City has only two bakeries, Panaderia Pantoja and Almeda Bakery. The couple relied only in the “word of mouth” to market their products in town such as pandesal, jacobina and paborita. These limitations however do not hinder the Pantoja’s from fulfilling their dreams.

In 1970, when their son Arturo took over the business, he started mechanizing the operations and hired more people. By the time new bakeries emerged in town, Panaderia Pantoja was no longer affected since it has already established its name and had earned credits from its loyal customer.

Sometime in November 2004, Panaderia Pantoja, Inc. opened its Pantoja Biscuit Factory located in Mt. View Subd., Brgy.3, Tanauan City where its delectable and traditional biscuits like Paborita and Jacobina are made.

Today, Panaderia Pantoja has grown into a corporation with Arturo Pantoja as the President/CEO and his son Arthur Anthony Pantoja as VP for Operations. Panaderia Pantoja is now one of the province’s largest bakeries with franchisees and branches in different towns in Batangas and Manila.

This is the Ensaymada. It is soft and chewy just as how ensaymadas should be. It is topped with buttercream, grated cheese, and salted egg.

My favorite among Panaderia Pantoja’s products is the Yema Cake. It is made up of soft, buttery sponge cake covered with delectable Yema and then topped with cheese. I have a favorite Yema Cake but it’s much more expensive and is not always available here in Manila. While this, I could easily buy by just dropping in at one of their branches.

It’s very affordable too!

The price of the Yema Cake in their Makati store:

₱50.00 for 4″, 2 layers

₱140 for 6″, 2 layers (pictured above)

₱380 for 8×11, 3 layers

₱650 for 9×16, 3 layers

The 4″ is baked everyday and all the other sizes are made to order. This is only for the Makati branch.

Other branches that carry them are :

Market, Market, Taguig

Mo. Ignacia, QC

Regalado, Fairview, QC

These branches only carry the 6″ for now and they sell them for ₱125 only. The discrepancy in costing is due to the higher operational costs in Makati.

Sis and I finished ¾ of the 6″ Yema Cake in no time! It was that delicious and we loved it. It’s my new favorite cake! I can see a lot of Panaderia Pantoja Yema Cake in my future!

Just in case you are wondering, Panaderia Pantoja can deliver for free within the Makati/Taguig area and charge ₱80 for delivery. Contact number is 09231425715 and email at UpperCrust1200@gmail.com

Interesting to know that Panaderia Pantoja is giving samples to food blogger to promote their product 🙂 I went to their first store in Tanauan Batangas and had a chance to meet the owner. Love their cheese roll and birthday cake.